Louver assembly for window opening



March 13, 1956 J HOWARD LOUVER ASSEMBLY FOR WINDOW OPENING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13. 1955 I N V EN TOR. PAY L #010,420

flffQZ/V5V5 March 13, 1956 P. J. HOWARD LOUVER ASSEMBLY FOR WINDO W OPENING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 47:4 woe/4 20 BY 6 H6 a i a v w v a PM 2 u 3 6 w 2 w M v 5 I'- z d m United States Patent LOUVER ASSEMBLY FOR WINDOW OPENING Paul J. Howard, Los Angeles, Calif. Application May 13,1955, Serial No. 508,187

' 6 Claims. (CL 230259) This invention relates to window construction and is .particularly directed to a novel form of a device utilizinglouvers which extend radially from a central hub.

It is an object of this invention to provide light or air control for a window using louvers which tilt aboutradial axes. In closed position, the edges of the louvers over- -lap, andin open position, the louvers present a minimum of obstruction for entrance of light and air.

Another object of'this invention is to provide novel means for simultaneously controlling movement of all of the louvers.

.Another objectis.toprovidealouver assembly of this typewhich may .be turned in themanner'of a fan to draw air 'into a.room..or to.expel air therefrom.

Other related and moredetailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the: drawings:

Figure 1 is .an..elevation.showing a preferred=embodiment .of my invention.

FigureZt is a.sectional.elevation.taken substantially on the lines 2'2-as. shownin Figure .1.

Figure 3 isasectionalview on anenlarged scale taken substantially onthe lines-3. 3..as 1 shown in Figure. 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the lines 44 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure Sis an elevation on an enlarged scale drawing the louvers in closed position.

Referring to the drawings:

The stationary window frame generally designated is provided with a series of rollers 11 which engage the outer periphery or rim 12 of a louver assembly generally designated 13. Louvers 14 are mounted in a series about a central hub 15. Each louver 14 is provided with an outer pin 16 which is pivotally. received within a bearing 17 mounted on the rim 12. Each louver is also provided with a pin 18 which is pivotally received within a radial bore 19 provided in the hub 15. A' ball bearing element 20 may be provided to reduce friction. The pins 16 and 18 are mounted in radial alignment and may be fixed to the individual louver by any convenient means, such as for example, fasteners 21.

The hub is fixed on a hollow shaft 22 by means of set screw 23, the hub and shaft functioning as a single hub member. An annular plate 24 is mounted to turn on the hollow shaft 22 and carries a ring gear 25. A pinion gear 26 is fixed to each of theradial pins 18 and meshes with the ring gear 25. A U-shaped control handle 27 is fixed to the plate 24 and provides a means for turning the plate 24 with respect to the hollow shaft 22. From this description it will be understood that turning movement of the plate 24 and ring gear 25 relative to the hollow shaft 22 and hub 15 serves to turn the pins 18 and thereby change the angle of inclination of the louvers 14. A clamping nut 28 is threaded on the end of the hollow shaft 22 and serves to fix the louvers 14 at any selected annular position.

The louvers can be turned to the fully open position shown in Figure 1 to one of two fully closed positions.

2,738,127 Patented M'ar; 1

One fullyclosed position is indicated in Figure .5, and "the "other fully closed 'position is similar, exceptythatthe to'conform to'the inner diameter of the rim 12 andthe through ashaft drive and a pair of bevel bears.

inner end being squared off instead of pointed.

The cam 29 which is fixed to the shaft by means of the set screw 30 is 'also'fixed to four radiating spokes 31 by means of fasteners 32. These spokes 31 areequally spaced and are joined tothe rim 12 adjacent one of its edges.

Means are providedfor turning the entire louver assembly 13 in the manner'of a fan. As shown in the drawings, this means includes a reversible variable speed electric motor 33 mounted on brackets 34 and stationary cross bars'35. The projecting drive shaft 36 of'the motor extendsinto the'bore 37 of the hollow shaft 22 and'is connectedto drive the shaft 22 by means of a key 38. When the motor 33 is energized the shaft 22, hub 15, louvers 14 and rim 12, rotate about the axis of the shaft. The rollers 11 maintain the assembly 13 in position while it turns. The angularity of the individual louvers 14 determines'whether air is drawn into or out of the window openingaswell as the amount of air flow in cubic'feetper minute.

Instead of placing the motor 33 in axial alignment with the shaft22, the motor may be mounted in a stationary position outside the periphery of the rim '12 and arranged to drive the shaft by means of a belt or chain, or Or the motor 33a'maybelocated'as'shown by the phantom lines in Figure 1 and connected to turn a drive roller 39 in friction contact with the outer surface of the rim 12.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a window construction, the combination of: a frame, a rim mounted within the frame, a hub member mounted centrally within the rim, a plurality of louvers extending radially between the hub member and the rim, means at the outer end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the rim, means at the inner end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the hub member, the louvers being shaped so that in closed position the edge of each louver overlaps that of an adjacent louver, a pinion gear fixed relative to each louver near the inner end thereof, a ring gear mounted on the hub member and meshing with each of said pinion gears, means whereby the ring gear may be turned relative to the hub member to move all of the louvers simultaneously about their respective pivot means, and means on the hub member for locking the ring gear in selected position.

2. In a window construction, the combination of: a frame, a rim mounted within the frame, a hub member mounted centrally within the rim, a plurality of louvers extending radially between the hub member and the rim, means at the outer end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the rim, means at the inner end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the hub member, the louvers being shaped so that in closed position the edge of each louver overlaps that of an adjacent louver, gear means for moving all of the louvers simultaneously about their respective pivot means, said means including a ring gear mounted to turn on the hub member meshing with a series of pinion gears each fixed to one of the louvers, and means for locking the gear means in selected position, said means including a clamping nut threadedly mounted on the hub member and adapted to frictionally secure the ring gear relative to the hub member.

3. In a window construction, the combination of: a plurality of louvers radiating from a central hub member, and adapted to be mounted in a window opening, movable means on the hub member for simultaneously turning all of the louvers about their respective axes through substantially one-half revolution to either one of two closed positions, the louvers being shaped so that in either closed position the edge of each louver overlaps that of an adjacent louver, means on the hub member locking the louvers in adjusted position and means for rotating all of the louvers as a unit within the window opening.

4. In a window construction, the combination of: a frame, a rim mounted to turn within the frame, rollers on the frame engaging the rim, a hub member mounted centrally within the rim, a plurality of louvers extending radially between the hub member and the rim, means at the outer end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the rim, means at the inner end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the hub member, whereby each louver may turn through substantially one-half revolution to either one of two closed positions, the louvers being shaped so that in either closed position the edge of each louver overlaps that of an adjacent louver, gear means whereby all of the louvers may be moved simultaneously about their respective pivot means, means on the hub member for locking the gear means in selected positions, and means for rotating all of the louvers as a unit.

5. In a window construction, the combination of: a frame, a rim mounted to turn within the frame, rollers on the frame engaging the rim, a hub member mounted centrally within the rim, a plurality of louvers extending radially between the hub member and the rim, means at the outer end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the rim, means at the inner end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the hub member, the louvers being shaped so that in closed position the edgc of each louver overlaps that of an adjacent louver, gear means whereby all of the louvers may be moved simultaneously about their respective pivot means, means on the hub member for locking the gear means in selected position, arms connecting the rim and the hub member, and power means for turning the hub member and thereby to rotate the hub member, rim, and louvers as a unit.

6. In a window construction, the combination of: a frame, a rim mounted to turn within the frame, rollers on the frame engaging the rim, a hub member mounted centrally within the rim, a plurality of louvers extending radially between the hub member and the rim, means at the outer end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the rim, means at the inner end of each louver for pivotally supporting it on the hub member, the louvers being shaped so that in closed position the edge of each louver overlaps that of an adjacent louver, means whereby all of the louvers may be moved simultaneously about their respective pivot means, means on the hub member for locking the louvers in selected position, and means for turning the rim to rotate all of the louvers as a unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8,811 Turton Mar. 16, 1852 177,353 Pomeroy May 16, 1876 602,967 Wells Apr. 26, 1898 1,447,189 Simon Mar. 6, 1923 1,609,877 Kendall Dec. 7, 1926 1,779,084 Berggren et a1 Oct. 21, 1930 1,978,128 Downs Oct. 23, 1934 1,978,148 Stacey Oct. 23, 1934 2,085,282 Waterval June 29, 1937 2,133,485 Sherman et a1. Oct. 18, 1938 2,636,467 Johnson Apr. 28, 1953 2,656,971 Mader Oct. 27, 1953 

